NEWS RELEASES 2006-07

NEWS RELEASES 2006-07 :: JANUARY 25, 2007

REGIONAL MEETINGS TO FOCUS ON HIGH SCHOOL CORE COURSE OF STUDY

The State Board of Education and NC Department of Public Instruction are holding eight regional meetings to gather public input on implementing a new high school core course framework. The first meeting will be held next week.

The State Board approved the core framework for high school students in December.

"The skills needed for success in entry-level jobs and entry-level college work are nearly identical today," said State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee. "The core courses will help us ensure that all students are on track for success regardless of their plans for the future."

State Board of Education members plan to gather ideas about implementation details during the regional meetings (schedule below). Each regional meeting will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

DATE

REGION

VENUE

Feb. 12

Region 7

Forbush High School, East Bend (Yadkin County)

Feb. 20

Region 6

Weddington High School, Matthews (Union County)

Feb. 22

Region 5

Randleman High School, Randleman (Randolph County)

Feb. 26

Region 2

Southwest High School, Jacksonville (Onslow County)

March 5

Region 4

E.E. Smith High School, Fayetteville (Cumberland County)

March 19

Region 1

Roanoke High School, Robersonville (Martin County)

March 22

Region 8

Buncombe County Schools Central Office, Asheville

March 29

Region 3

Fike High School, Wilson (Wilson County)

Participants in the regional meetings do not have to preregister, but sign-ins will begin approximately 30 minutes before each meeting starts. Educators, parents, students, business leaders and others with an interest in high school requirements are encouraged to attend to learn more about the new core course of study and to provide input into its implementation.

The core raises expectations for many high school students who may have been enrolled in the career or college tech prep courses of study. All students who begin the ninth grade in the fall of 2008 and later (this year's seventh graders and below) will now prepare for graduation by completing the same 21-unit core courses. The new core includes:

4 units of English

4 units of mathematics

3 units of science

3 units of social studies

2 units of a second language

1 unit of health/physical education

an endorsement of at least four units in one of the following areas: Career-Technical, Arts education, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC), Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, second language or other.

Other state graduation requirements will continue to be in place. These include passing the end-of-course tests (in Algebra I, English I, US History, Civics and Economics, and Biology) and completing a graduation project .Local boards of education continue to have the authority to add to the state requirements. The new core will not affect students with disabilities who qualify for the occupational course of study.

Most students already take the core classes, but this core raises the standard by requiring four mathematics courses and second language study for all. The endorsement requires students to select an area of emphasis for their high school work with an eye to college work, career or both.

The core framework of courses will not be one-size-fits-all. Students will select specific courses within the 21 requirements and there will be opportunities for course substitutions in some cases where this is appropriate. Details about how course substitutions will be allowed, how second language instruction will be provided and the particulars of the AP/IB endorsements, as well as other issues, remain to be answered.

For more information, please contact the NCDPI Communications Division, 919-807-3450.

About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 126 charter schools serving over 1.5 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.

For more information:
NCDPI Communication and Information Division, 919.807.3450.